Metal fencing posts, spacers and the like



March 16, 1965 c. J. KRUGER 3,173,661

METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS AND THE LIKE;

Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 In en 0! CORNELIUS 1. 11568512 AHome y y March 16, 1965 c. J. KRUGER METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS ANDTHE LIKE Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CORNELIUS a. KR (jamZfiwzwfi mpfw Attorney.)

United States Patent 3,173,661 METAL FENCING POSTS, SPACERS AND THE LIKECornelius J. Kriiger, Cullinan, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa,assignor to Cornelius Johan Kriiger and South African Iron and SteelIndustrial Corporation Limited, Pretoria, Transvaal, Republic of SouthAfrica Filed May 20, 1960, Ser. No. 30,492 Claims priority, applicationRepublic of South Africa, May 20, 1959, 1,878/5; Jan. 4, 1960, 9/60;Mar. 10, 1960, 1,014/60 10 Claims. (Cl. 256-47) This invention relatesto improved rolled or extruded steel or metallic sections particularlyintended for use as fencing standards, posts, bars and/or spacers (alsocommonly termed droppers) and also to improved methods of producingholes and shaping of the pointed ends of such fencing standards, postsor the like.

Fencing standards, posts or the like of various crosssections are known,such as, for instance, the Y-shape, bulb-T-shape and I-shape, but theseinvariably have various defects, either from the producers or from theusers point of view. The desirable properties of good fencing standards,posts or the like are (a) Ample strength against bending in directionstransverse to and along the fence, the resistance to bending in saiddirections being preferably not greatly dissimilar.

(b) Ample resistance against torsional forces.

(c) Presentation of a cross-sectional shape which is sufficiently robustto withstand hammer blows when driven into the ground and alsoadequately to resist buckling.

(d) Presentation of a cross-sectional shape permitting the readyformation of a point on an end to facilitate penetration when driveninto the ground.

(e) Absence of sharp edges liable to cut and/ or abrade the fence lineWires bearing hard against them and which may also be the cause of thestart of early corrosion.

(f) The ratio of weight to strength must be a minimum.

Fencing standards, posts or the like must preferably be provided withholes for the positive location of the line wires and these holes areusually produced by cold punching operations. Conventional holes ofrelatively large size are readily produced, in small rolled steel sections of lightweight and of soft quality, by punching with the aid ofreasonably robust punches and dies but, in the case of small holes, ifpunched in the conventional way, the punches are very slender andfragile and, consequently, not so practicable for continuous operation.For instance, in the case of H-section and such like droppers orspacers, which are very light weight sections, relatively large holesare usually punched in the web in order to utilise punches which are nottoo slender and fragile but sufficiently robust for rapid andsubstantially continued use. Another disadvantage experienced withrelatively slender punches is that the quality of the material to bepunched must be kept as soft as may be necessary to permit of reasonablycontinued operation of the plant and to avoid frequent stoppages toreplace broken punches and/ or dies. I

An object of this invention is to provide a rolled steel profile ormetallic section suitable for a fencing standard, post, spacer or thelike, which substantially satisfies the desirable properties bypresenting a cross-sectional shape providing optimum distribution ofarea (which is directly proportional to the weight) for maximumdesirable strength in either or both of the two directions at rightangles to each other and in the plane of the crosssection while inaddition the shaping of the profile or section is such as to permit ofeasy rolling or extrusion or the like and ready punching of holes whichmay be relatively small.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method and meanswhereby holes of a special type are readily made in the rolled steelfencing standards, posts, spacers and other sections or metallic memberswith the aid of robust means while the holes produced may be relativelysmall but are capable of being readily and easily varied to suitdifferent requirements.

Another object of this invention is to provide rolled steel or othermetallic sections suitable for fencing standards, posts and the like inwhich the distribution of the area in cross-section is such that thesection is strong against buckling and torsion whereas the location offixing points for the line wires is favourable in respect of thetransmission of the torsion and buckling loads caused by the impact ofanimals lurching against the fence between such standards or the like,or when the standards are driven into the ground.

A still further object of this invention is to provide special methodsof punching holes in such a way that relatively robust punches areemployed and a minimum of cutting of the material is effected whereasrecourse is taken to exploiting the plasticity of the material by deformation and/ or stretching of the material adjacent to the out.

A further object of the invention is that the number of handling actionsof a rolled steel section in the process of cutting to length, punchingor producing of the holes, the pointing and the straightening of thefencing posts or the like constructed from the section are greatlyreduced with a resultant substantial increase in production.

According to this invention, a fencing post, standard, spacer or thelike, comprising an elongated metallic member, presents across-sectional shape having enlarged area concentration regions at oradjacent a first central position and at each of two flanking positionssimilarly offset from said first position so that the area concentrationregions do not lie in a straight line, each of said flanking areaconcentrations being connected to said first area concentrationregion(s) by narrow web-like regions symmetrically arranged in generaldiverging relationship relative to said first central position, saidweb-like regions being provided with shoulders at positionsintermediately of the area concentration regions and which shouldersform longitudinal planes, throughout the length of the fencing member,substantially parallel to a plane touching the flanking enlarged areaconcentration regions.

More particularly, the elongated metallic member from which the fencingstandard, post or the like is constructed presents a cross-sectionalshape having three spaced enlarged area concentration regions arrangedat a central and at offset flanking positions relative to one anotherand connected by two web-like regions of substantially reduced thicknessand arranged in diverging relationship to one another. Said web-likeregions provide the shoulders at positions adjacent the centralconcentration region or in spaced relationship thereto, said shoulderson the I a a two web-like regions beingpreferably oppositely and atin-line locations.

The said shoulders, which extend longitudinally throughout the elongatedmembers, form areas on which the hole punching tools are brought tobearduring the initial stage of producing the holes and also topositively register the member in the correct position for such holingoperation. The width of the shoulders and their positioning arespecially arranged to suit the method and means of holing, as will besubsequently described. 7

The size and positioning of the central areaconcentra-v tion region ofthe section, with respectjto the adjacent longitudinal'shoulder formingregions, are arranged in such a fashion as to permit of efficientpointing and spear: ing of the member in a single operation whichpointing or.

the same. position thus enabling any one of these finishing operationson the member to be'done simultaneously with all the other aboveoperations or, if particularly desired, with any one other or more ofsuch operations.-

The pointing and spearing are effected by two converging shear bladesarranged to shear ofi end portions of the,

member angularly along the offset flanking area concentration andweb-like connecting regions. The whole or part of the central areaconcentration region is not sheared off whereby a point, which is nottoo sharp but sufficiently robust, is formed.

The holes are produced in the elongated member by punching shears; whichare robust in relation to the size of the holes, arranged to sever. thematerial along a short distance and simultaneously arranged to deform byin dentation, displacement, stretching and drawing of the metal adjacentsuch severing'line.v Such deformation of the material may-take place onone side or on both sides of the severing line.

Each hole is producedin the material by means of two coacting juxtaposedand relatively movable punching shears for shearing the metal along ashort distance, and simultaneously indenting the regions of themetal'adjacent one or both sides of the shear line and'simultaneouslyforcing or displacing one or both the transverse faces of the deformedregion, produced by the shearing action, away from and out of alignmentwith the other face formed by such shearing action. A pair of holes isshear punched on both sides of the central area concentration regionwhile simultaneously lead-in indentations on each side of'the member areproduced.

Where such holes are formed close to the central area concentrationregion, such region between a pair of holes may be forced outwardlyduring the shear punching action to provide a protuberance.

means for shear punching holes ina fencing post or the like;

FIGURES 8 and 9 are side views of different forms of shearing dies shownin FIGURES 7 and8;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a memher in position justprior to'the shear punching of holes and showing the relative positionsof the straightening dies; V 1

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 showing the coactingholeshearing and deforming punches and straightening or shaping dies at thecompletion of the operative stroke; and I FIGURES 12 and 13 arefragmentary pictorial views of rolled steel fencing standards, posts orspacers accordor the like shown in the drawings and drawn to an en- Inorder thatthe inventionmay be clearly'understood and carried intoeffect, reference will'now be made to the accompanynig sheets ofdrawings on which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe severalviews. In the drawings: 7 FIGURE 1 is an end viewof a rolledsteel section for fencing posts, standards or the like in accordancewith the invention; g

' FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE'I showing a modified shaping ofthe rolled steel section;

. FIGURE3 is a view similarto FIGURE 1 showing a FIGURE 5 isafragmentary plan view illustrating the method of pointing URE 4';

FIGURES 6 and 7 are schematic viewsshowing the the fencing standardshown in FIG- larged scale provides the three area concentration regions1, 2 and 2 which are connected by like connecting parts .or webs 3arranged in diverging relationship. The area concentration region 1 iscentrally disposed whereas the regions 2, are infianking'and offsetpositions relative to the region 1. The web-like parts 3 are shaped. toform longitudinal shoulders 4 presenting longitudinalfaces 5 and 6 whichare substantially parallel to a common plane 7 touching the flankingenlarged area concentrations 2. The said-areas 5 and 6 formed by theshoulders 4 present faces substantially normal to thepunching orshearing FIGURE ,3 such shoulders 4 .are formed substantiallyeguidistantly between the central area concentration reg1on-1 and theflanking area concentration regions 2.

Other locations forthe shoulders. 4 :may be selected, as I may bedesired, within thescope of'the-invention.

. The cross-sectional area of a rolled steel or other metallic memberaccording to this. invention is distributed in such a way as 'to havemain concentrations of area at three, positions and substantially at thecorners of a triangle thus presenting a'section of trough-like orbell-like shape having a thickened region at the narrow part and at the.free end of eachlimb or leg. The area concentration regions 2 at theends of the connecting regions, limbs or legs 3 are arranged to projectfrom the outwardly directed faces'of such regions, limbs or legs. Theformation of" the shoulders 4 by stepping of the connecting regions,limbs orlegs 3, inaddition to providing locations for easy shearpunching of the holes for the tying wires. of a fencing post or thelikeor for threading therethrough of the line wires, also contributes.towardsv strengthening of the section. i Y

The .fo-rmation of the holes in the section is effected byupper andlower punching shears 10 and 11 or 11a. Each punching shear. Ill-or 11provides aparabolicallyshaped cutting edge.;12 or converging cuttingedges 13 (see FIGURES 8 and 9 0n the flat faces-14 and an indenting ordeforming face 15 with rake as may be requ1red.- The lower punchingshear 11a 5(see FIGURE 7 provides a straight cutting edge 16 onthe endof each face 14. The upper and/ or lower punch holders may be provided,if so desired,- with shaped recesses which at the l1m1t the stroke'ofthecoacting punches will ensure the pos tive desired shaping'of the'meta'lregion adjacent the eutline and which is bent orv deformed by thenoncutnng part 15 of the punching shears. Such positive shapmg is notessential. v

During the holding action, the metal is cut along a plane by a pair ofcoacting punching shears and the material on one or on both sides, asmay be desired, of the metal, is deformed while the size of the hole oraligned holes thus formed is determined by the amount of overlap of thetwo punching shears. The parts 15 of the shears do not cut the materialbut exert a deforming pressure on it so as to assist in creating a hole17 and thus forming an aproach or lead-in 18 towards such hole (seeFIGURES l2 and 13).

As previously stated, the cutting edges 12 of the punching shears can beprovided with diiferent contours. A rounded contour of the edges 12 willresult in a rounder hole While converging straight edged punching shearswill result in a more or less square or diamond shaped hole. Roundedcontours are required for materials of higher tensile strength toprovide a broader cut and press and thus prevent premature rupture ofthe material.

The formation of a twin holed protuberance 19 in which the holes arealigned, see FIGURE 12, is produced with the aid of two spaced upperpunching shears which are adapted to formtwo shearing lines or cuts bytheir cutting edges 12 on the opposite sides of the longitudinalrib-forming centre area concentration region 1. The lower punching shear11 comprises a member presenting two parallel vertical faces also withcutting edges and in fact may be composed of two punching shears 11 or10 rigidly Secured together in back-toback relationship. The upper andlower punching shears are arranged in juxtaposed relationship for theupper punching shears 10 to be capable of moving past the lower punchingshears 11 which is conveniently rigidly and immovably fixed. The rakednon-cutting parts 15 of the upper punching shears 10 deform the materialof the Web-like connecting regions 3 of the section adjacent the two outlines and indent the material downwardly on either side thus formingapproaches or lead-ins 18 for the holes 17. When a protuberance 19 isformed, the material of the centre area concentration region 1 is formedoutwardly to curved shape, as is clearly shown in FIG- URE 12. This maybe applied readily on sections of the shape as shown in FIGURE 2. In thecase of a sec tion according to FIGURE 1, the inner parts of theshoulder forming regions of the web-like regions 3 may be deformedupwardly to form further inner lead-ins by the action of the lowerpunches (see FIGURE 11).

It will be obvious that single holes may be provided at staggered spacedrelationship on the two sides of the centre rib formed by region 1 butfor fencing standards or posts or the like this is, however, notdesirable. For fencing posts, standards or the like, twin opposing holesare preferably provided for ready threading therethrough of a line wireor tying wire or for attaching clip devices.

The upper and lower punching shears 1t? and 11 (or 11a) are preferablymounted in the elongated straightening dies 20 and 2 1 which areemployed for straightening, where this operation is to be carried outsimultaneously with holing of the rolled steel section in theconstruction of fencing posts, spacers or the like. The said punchingshears are placed at the desired spaced intervals and arranged toprotrude from the contoured faces of the straightening dies 20 and 21which are shaped to correspond with the faces of the particular sectionto be straightened thereby. Said straightening dies, with suitableejecting devices, are fixed to the coacting relatively movable parts ofa press according to known practice.

Where deformation of the material of the central area concentrationregion 1 or of the web forming material 3 adjacent such region on theinterior is not required, the lower shear 11a provides the aforesaidstraight cutting edges 16 while the punching shear 11a does not protrudebeyond the contour of the lower straightening die 20. With sucharrangement, as shown in FIGURE 7, practically no upward deformingpressure with the lower punching shears 11a is effected. The downwarddeformation and stretching is then done wholly on the outer parts of thelimb material 3 and not on the inner parts adjacent the central area ofconcentration 1, nor on the central area of concentration.

It will be obvious that a hole 17, as shown in FIGURE 13, can be broughtabout at any desired position on the side limbs of the section by themethod of punching as described, by providing the shoulders 4 at suchpositions in the rolled steel section. Whilst it is possible, within thescope of this invention to punch shear holes by the special method andmeans of holing according to this invention, at any location and againstthe inclined faces of the limbs or legs 3, the provision of shoulders orsteps ensures that the punching shears will cut the materialsubstantially at right angles to its surface with the result that aslippage of the shears or smearing of the material and the applicationof transverse bending forces on the punching shears are much reduced oreliminated. The shoulders can conveniently be made narrower than shownon the drawings, just sufiicient being required for the holing operationstill to function satisfactorily. Another advantage when holing throughthe material at right angles and not against an inclined face is thatless thickness of material of the limb is cut.

With the sections according to this invention, due to their shape andthe fact that the limbs being cut fall or taper away rapidly from theinitial point of cut, only a very small amount of rake on the deformingpart of the punching shear is necessary, just sufiicient being requiredfor easy release of the punching shears. The lead-ins or approaches tothe holes are thus virtually at right angles to the plane of the cut,i.e. to the holes, thus facilitating threading of line or tying wires orattaching of clip devices.

A major advantage arising from using the method and means according tothis invention of punching holes in the fencing post, standard, spacersor the like of the said cross-sectional shape is, that a small hole canbe punched with relatively robust punching shears. The size of the holeis determined by the inclinations and shapes of the cutting contours ofthe punching shears, combined with the stroke of the punching or cuttingaction and the extent of overlap of the punching shears.

Another major advantage arising from using the method and means ofpunching holes in the sections according to this invention is thatmaterial of much harder quality or higher tensile strength can bepunched where conventional means are not practicable. The contours ofthe cutting edges of the punches, i.e. Width of cut and bluntness ofpoint, together with the adjustment of the rake of the non-shearingparts of the punching shears must be varied to sut the hardness of thematerial to be cut. A sharp point with steep sides to the punchingshear, thus resulting in a narrow cut, will cause rupture of theindented material more easily than a blunt point with a broad cut, wherethe pressure and deformation is spread over a greater area of thematerial to be cut. It will be obvious that if a higher tensile materialis used for rolled steel fencing posts, standards or the like, thestrength of the section is greatly increased over, for instance, mildsteel. Moreover, it is a great advantage to the manufacturer to have awider range of steel qualities from which such products can be made.

Another advantage obtained by providing holes with the method and meansaccording to this invention is that the member is weakened to a muchlesser extent than when holes of conventional type are punched clear outof the member. There is no metal removed from the member according tothe method and means of this invention and the metal deformed adjacentsuch hole or holes remains to contribute towards the strength of thefencing post or the like. There is also no loss in Weight of the memberdue to the punching of the holes therein.

By providing straightening dies for fencing standards in which thepunching shears are mounted and with which the pointing shears 25, andif desired or found practieaof area 1, which permits of clean pointinginone opera-' tion, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The pointing or spearing of the fencing'standard is effected by the twoconverging shear blades 25 arranged to shearofi end portions, of themember angularly along the offset flanking area concentrations 2 andweb-like connecting regions or limbs 3 while the whole or substantiallythe major part of the central area concentration 1 is not sheared, thusproviding an ideal strong point which is not too sharp but sufiicientlyrobust for driving into the ground. The bottom straightening die 20, inrespect of one end, is shaped to the setting of the oblique pointingshears-25 and is arranged to form counter shear means against which theshearing action is effected. Similarly, the oppoiste end of the bottomstraightening die 8 tangent to the two flanking cross-sectional areas,said fencingstandard having at one end a point constituted substantiallyby the endof the. longitudinal rib *formed by the said centralcross-sectional area andjtwo straight shear cuts through theweb-likeregions and flanking ribs formed by said flankingcross-sectional areas, which shear cuts diverge rearwardly substantiallyfrom the edges of the said end of the longitudinal rib.

2. 'A fencingstandard as claimed in claim 1 in which said shoulders formlongitudinal ledges running along the length of said fencing standard,and said ledges have 7 holes therein in-the form of a shortstraightshear cut 20 may form'counter shear means along which thetransverse severing shear performs its shearing action. Where nostnaightening is to be effected and consequently no straightening diesemployed, suitable lower profiled shears, as described above,'can beused for acting together with suitable upper shears for pointing andalso for cutting to length. I I t The arrangement of pointing the memberas is shown in FIGURE 5, by means of shears arranged perpendicularly tothe aforesaid plane 7 (touching the area conextending parallel to thelength of the fencing standard, the material of the ledge onat least oneside of said shear cut being in the form of a scalloped indentation forproviding a lead-in to said hole, the maximum depth of the indentationbeing midway between the ends of the shear cut.

3. A fencing standard as claimed in claim 2 in which the material onboth sides'of the shear cut is indented, the material on one side beingindented in the opposite direction from the material on the other side.

4. A fencing standardas claimed in claim 2 in which said holes are inpairs with one hole in a pair being on one side of the central enlargedcross-sectional area and the other hole ,;being on the other side of the'central enlarged cross-sectionalarea and the holes in each pair beingaligned with each other.

' substantially equal. dimensions. in transverse. directions,

- two symmetrical outwardly diverging narrow web-like centration regions2) a sharp edge 26 is produced by the.

sheared face 27 andthe inwardly directed faces of the limb-likeconnecting regions 3. Such edges 26 may be' useful under certainconditions but on driving a post into rocky soil such edges are liableto be bent, turned overorotherwise damaged which may impede thepenetration qualities of. the post. To eliminate the formation of suchsharp edges, the regions 3 can be splayed out previously at the end tobe pointed, and the pointing operation carried out in a perpendicularshearing operation and such region subsequently bent back to theoriginal shape in a subsequent straightening operation. The shears 25can be arranged to operate towards :and on the sides of the member andobliquely to the said plane 7 in order to provide a sheared facesubstantially. at right angles to the faces of the connecting regions 3,Alternative'ly, a single shear or saw can be employed which regionsextending from. said'central enlarged cross-sectional area, flankingenlarged cross-sectional areas at the other end of each web-likeregionand similarly offset from the .centralenlarged cross-sectional area sothat the enlarged cross-sectional areas do not lie in a straight line,and each web-likeregion having a shoulder. between the central andflanking cross-sectional areas, the central part of which shoulder isparallelto a straightline tangent tothe two flanking cross-sectionalareas, cutting said steel member, into fencing standard lengths, andshearing one end of each" of, said lengths along two straight lineswhichdiverge rearwardly from the edges of the end of a longitudinalribrformed by said enlarged central cross-sectional', area and whichlines extend through said web-like regions and flanking ribs "formed byI said flanking cross-sectional areas, whereby a point is is arranged tooperate obliquely relative tothe plane 7 I y to simultaneously shear orcut off the flanking and connecting regions 2 and 3 along the intendedangular cutting lines. Such shear or saw, during operation,.may bearranged to be directed, towards or away from the end of the memberduring the cutting operation. For robustness of the point, the shoulderforming regions 4 of the members of section according to FIGURES 1 and2, or the adjoining parts of the limbs 3 adjacent the central areaconcentration region 1 ofthe member. according, to FIGURE 3, areretained and not severed by the shears2 5 or single, shear, saw or likemeans.

What I claim is:

1. A straight rolled steel fencing standard with a cross sectional shapehaving a central enlarged cross-sectional. area with substantially equaldimensions in transverse distraight line, each web-like region havinga'shoulder be-- tween the central and flanking cross-sectional areas, the

central part of which shoulder is parallel to a straig'ht line formed onthe said one end of the length. 7

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 further. comprising forming holes inthe longitudinal ledges formed by said shoulders by shearing saidledges. along short shear lines in the center of said ledges extendingparallel. to said longitudinal rib andindenting the material of thefencing standard on at least one side or each shear cut to'form ascalloped indentation with the maximum indentation being formed midwaybetween the ends of the shear cut.

7. i A method asclaimed in claim 6 in-which the material on the otherside of each shear cut is indented to an equal degree'in the oppositedirection from the material on the oneside of each shear cut.

:8. A method as claimed in-clainr 6 in which indenting the materialadjacent the one, side of the shear cut com:

prises displacing, drawing and stretching said material the othertransverse face, produced by'the shear cut.

9. A methodfiasclaimed in claim 16' comprising forming the holes inpairs'with onehole in a pair-beingon one side of the central enlargedcross-sectional area and the other hole being on the other side of thecentral enlarged cross-sectional area and the holes in geach' pair'being aligned with each other;

tuberance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Colvin 18929 Amtet al 8352 Murton 189-23 Hill 18923 Hunter 29-155 1 0 7/50 Telzlah-189-29 8/50 Harris 25 622 12/ 5 2 Williams 189-3 6 X 6/59 Seely 29-155FOREIGN PATENTS 2/54 France. 12/ 55 France.

11/56 Germany.

10 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

CORNELIUS D. ANGEL, Examiner.

1. A STRAIGHT ROLLED STEEL FACING STANDARD WITH A CROSSSECTIONAL SHAPEHAVING A CENTRAL ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA WITH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUALDIMENSIONS IN TRANSVERSE DIRECTIONS, TWO SYMMETRICAL OUTWARDLY DIVERGINGNARROW WEB-LIKE REGIONS EXTENDING FROM SAID CENTRAL ENLARGEDCROSS-SECTIONAL AREA, FLANKING ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS AT THEOTHER END OF EACH WEB-LIKE REGION AND SIMILARLY OFFSET FROM THE CENTRALENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA SO THAT THE ENLARGED CROSS-SECTIONAL AREASDO NOT LIE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, EACH WEB-LIKE REGION HAVING A SHOULDERBETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND FLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, THE CENTRAL PARTOF WHICH SHOULDER IS PARALLEL TO A STRAIGHT LINE TANGENT TO THE TWOFLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, SAID FENCING STANDARD HAVING AT ONE ENDA POINT CONSTITUTED SUBSTANTIALLY BY THE END OF THE LONGITUDINAL RIBFORMED BY THE SAID CENTRAL CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AND TWO STRIAGHT SHEARCUTS THROUGH THE WEB-LIKE REGIONS AND FLANKING RIBS FORMED BY SAIDFLANKING CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS, WHICH SHEAR CUTS DIVERGE REARWARDLYSUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE EDGES OF THE SAID END OF THE LONGITUDINAL RIB.